New CARICOM manufacturing body gets to work

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by Marlon Madden

A new regional manufacturers association has been launched in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to help promote regional manufacturers.

The founding members are the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA), the Dominican Manufacturers’ Association, the Guyana Manufacturers’ and Services Association, the Jamaica Manufacturers’ and Exporters Association, the St Lucia Manufacturers’ Association and the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association.

The arrangement was cemented during a recent virtual signing ceremony between the six associations.

The new CARICOM Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) will be chaired by President of the BMA Robert Noel, and the Vice President is the President of the Dominica Manufacturer’s Association.

Noel said it was important for the region to become more competitive, adding that he was confident the new association will “carry the regional manufacturing sector into the future with a clear vision of who we are and the role we wish to play in the industry”.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade Sandra Husbands said she was pleased it came “at a time when the voice of the private sector is to be heard at the national, regional and international level”.

Welcoming the new regional body, Husbands said she looked forward to all CARICOM member states taking part.

“The timing of the initiative is critical because we are in the throes of uncertainty, much of which is related to the impact of COVID-19 on business and society. The new normal is still emerging,” she said.

“One thing is certain, things will never be the same and this can be taken from a positive or negative perspective. I prefer to be optimistic and declare that we must build on the positive advancements made and opportunities that have arisen from this crisis. Changes have to take place,” said Husbands.

Declaring that the manufacturing sector had a critical role to play in helping regional economies, Husbands said she was confident that governments will continue to create an enabling environment and provide other assistance where possible.

“This region must scale up production and it must scale up manufacturing. This is the key to making better use of bilateral treaties for example, that the countries have signed,” she said, adding that low production could be a reason the region has not benefited more from some arrangements in the past.

The CMA is tasked with providing a unified position on matters that are regional in nature, based on objectives outlined in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

It is to be self sufficient and free from outside influence, promote harmonization on policies, foster regional integration, promote regional brands, focus on trade policies, labour and human resources development, and the ease of movement among CARICOM nationals, as well as help the region achieve its non-communicable disease reduction goals.

Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association George Naime said: “some of the benefits to be derived and are being sought include development of common strategies and tactics for negotiation with third parties, easier movement of capital and equipment, joint marketing mission and shared participation at global trade events, aligned economic growth strategies, increased export opportunities
for all members, easier movement of non-skilled labour, increased communication and information sharing”.

Acknowledging that the member states were unable to go it alone, Naime said it will be critical to form relationships with other regional organizations including the CARICOM Private Sector Organization and the CARICOM Office for Trade Negotiations.